Clairton police officer James Kuzak was shot and paralyzed during the crime, but a jury acquitted Rivera of the shooting charge. Rivera was found guilty of burglary, robbery, unlawful restraint and reckless endangerment. Kuzak is a former Peters Township police officer.

Police say Rivera and another man both confessed to the April 2011 shooting, but Rivera’s family says the sentence is unjust.